Single effect evaporator



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SINGLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR Filed March 24, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet Patented June y 2,378,350 I SINGLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR Eugene Porter Worthen, Braintree, and Benjamin Fox, Wollaston, Mass., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Buena Vista Iron.Company, a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationMay 24,1944, Serial No. 37,026

12 Claims. (01. 202-185) s This invention relates to an improved apparatus for evaporating and distilling, and especially to such apparatus as is intended for use on board ships and the like where it is necessary to supply the fresh or pure water demands from sea water in a most fficient and economical manner as regards space and weight. Such demands are occasioned by the losses of fresh water, such as to the operation of the ships machinery, such as condensers, turbines, boilers, auxiliary engines, and the like, together with the ships human needs, such as drinking water.

Heretofore apparatus of this description has commonly comprised apparatus in which there are a plurality of the essential units in the way of heaters, condensers, pumps, traps, and the like, each unit constituting to a more or less degree, an individual unit requiring its own container, or casing, together with its piping and its accessories, and occupying a space by itself. Many such apparatus though highly efllcient as to operation have proven, especially on ships, to be uneconomical with regard to weight and space requirements, and some have been inefiicient in operation due to losses incurred by the greater surface area exposed to radiation of the individual units and connected piping. With such prior art in mind it has been the especial object of our invention to develop a highly integrated unitary apparatus for the evaporation and distilling of sea water, which will at the same time be compact and convenient of operation, and will maintain a high degree of operating efficiency with respect to its weight and space requirements.

It is also an especial object of our invention to combine into a so-called single eiiect apparatus the various necessary units required for the evaporating and distilling of sea water on board ships and to mount these uni-ts into and upon a single shell container and its sub-base in such a manner that their combined efficiency when based upon weight and space requirements is maintained at a high standard. 7

Another object of our invention is to arrange the various necessary units required for an apparatus for the evaporating and distilling of sea water within and upon said single shell container with due regard for their sequential and cooperating relationships to the end that a further economy and efliciency of operation, and a further saving in weight and space results thereby.

A further object is to meet the demands of a ships requirements for evaporating and distilling sea water by installing in the apparatus therefor a plurality of control devices, more or less automatic in their operation, to the end that once having been started and steadied ,down the apparatus when operating will require no manual attention other than routine inspection at infrequent intervals thereafter.

A further object of our invention is to provide an apparatus for the evaporating and distilling of sea water which by reason of its comprising within a unitary and compact design all the necessary elements thereof mounted upon a single foundation simplifies its installation and results in convenience and efliciency when in operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of'our invention and wherein similar reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 ma plan view of our improved apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation (operating end) thereof.

Fig. 4 is the opposite end elevation (steam inlet end) thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation opposite to that of Fig. 2, and in which the condensate cooler is not shown.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing in plan the brine pump gland sealing arrangement.

Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, show details of the container shell assembly together with certain elements contained therewithin.

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line l'l of Fig. 8 viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 10 viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 10 viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 10 is a three-quarter'section taken along the line l0|0 of Fig. 8 viewed in 'the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a drawing representing in diagrammatic form the flow system of the liquids to be distilled, the heating fluids thereof, and the condensate collecting means in an evaporating and distilling apparatus embodying our invention.

Referring now to the drawings the numeral ill designates our improved evaporating and disoperating end head M. This structure U constitutes the tank or container for the body oi. sea water (or other liquid) to be evaporated and distilled, and also acts as the mounting for the various units required to accomplish the said evaporation or distillation.

It may be noted in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, that the cylindrical casing i2 is divided structurally longitudinally into two chambers by the angularly disposed longitudinal wall members l5, l6 and H. The upper smaller quarter-segmentlike space we designate as the distilling condenser chamber l8; while the remaining threequarter-segmentdika space we designate as the evaporating chamber l9.

For additional strength and rigidity against collapse of theheads l3 and l4 9, stay-bolt 20 extends longitudinally through the chamber l9 and through bolt-holes in the heads I3 and 4 and is provided at each end with screw-threads 2| for the nuts 22 and 23.

Contained within the lower part of the evaporating chamber I9 is the heater 24. The heater 24 is an integral unit and is removably attached as such to the head I3. The heater 24 comprises the exterior head 25, the exterior tube sheet 26, the intermediate tube sheet 21, the interior tube sheet 28, the interior head 29, the upper nest of tubes 38, the lower nest of tubes 3|, and space bolts 32 threaded for nuts 33. The exterior head 25 is provided with a horizontally disposed division wall 34 which together with the exterior tube sheet 26 forms the upper enclosed chamber 35, and the lower enclosed chamber 36. An integral flanged elbow 3! communicating with the chamber 35 extends outwardly and upwardly, while an integral flanged elbow 38 communicating with the chamber 38 extends outwardly and downwardly from said head 25. The interior tube sheet 28 together with the interior head 29 forms a chamber 39. From this construction it will be seen that the upper nest of tubes 30 communicates the chamber 35 with the chamber 39, while the lower nest of tubes 3| communicates the chamber 39 with the chamber 36. The lower nest. of tubes 3| is sloped downwardly from the head 28 toward the head 26, in order to facilitate the discharge of condensates from the chamber 39 to the chamber 36.

Preferably cast integral within the cylindrical casing 12 along the lower interior wall and longitudinally thereof are the slide ribs or tracks 48 and 4|. These tracks 40 and 4| serve to support the heater 24 by engaging the lower edges of the tube sheets 21 and 28. Guide lugs 42 suitably attached to the tube sheets 21 and 28 serve to engage the tracks 49 and 4| to locate and guide the heater in removal and replacement when required for cleaning or repairs,

The distilling condenser chamber l8 communicates with the evaporating chamber I9 through an orifice 43 formed in the wall H. The orifice 43 extends nearly to the peripheral limits of the wall I! both vertically and horizontally. Removably attached to the evaporating chamber side of the wall H and commanding the orifice 43 is the vapor separator 44 attached by means of flanges 45 thereof. Conventional attaching means such as machine screws (not shown) are used, and their lines of attachment along the flanges 45 are indicated in Fig. 8 by means of the dot-and-dash lines 46.

The vapor separator 44 is preferably of that type disclosed and claimed in the copending patent application Serial No. 444,676, filed May 27,

1942, by E. P. Worthen et al. (issued as Patent 2,368,588, Jan. 30, 1945). As the details of this separator 44 are not elements in the subject matter of this present application it will not be further described herein-it is only necessary for the purpose of the present application that the vapor separator 44 be an efhcient device for the removal of moisture containing salt from the vapor generated from the distilland in the evaporating chamber l9, and to return the said moisture to the said distilland, and to pass on for condensation to and within the distilling condenser chamber l8 a maximum flow of the gen erated vapor so purified as to be within the permissible degree of salinity. The passageway for the vapor through the separator 44 is indicated conventionally by the crossed dot-and-dash lines 41 in Fig. 8. For convenience in manipulating the separator when necessary for removal and replacement in case of cleaning or making repairs a lifting lug 48 is provided structurally integral with the separator 44. In order to gain access to said lifting lug 48 an orifice 49 is provided in the top of the cylindrical casing l2, and which orifice is normally closed by the removable cover plate 59. In order to return the drainage from the separator 44 to the body of the distilland below and beneath the surface thereof within the evaporating chamber 9, drainage pipe 5| is provided comprising removable flanged attachments 52 at the bottom of the separator 0143.

Within the distilling condenser chamber id in the lower portion thereof an angularly shaped trough space 53 is formed by the wall it in conjunction with the peripheral wall of the cyllndrical casing 12 and serves to collect the condensate drainage. An orifice 54 communicates this trough space 53 with the exterior of the cylindrical casing l2.

Contained within the distilling condenser chamber I8 is the distilling condenser 55. The distilling condenser 55 is a unit removably atached to the heads I3 and i4, respectively. It comprises the conduit head 56, the conduit head tube sheet 51, the tube sheet support plate 58, the tube sheet support plate tie-rods 53 with nuts 60, the cover plate head tube sheet iii, the cover plate head 52, the expansion joint 63, the joint clamp rings 64, the four sets of tubes 65, 53, 6?. and 68,- respectively. It will be noted that the conduit head 56 comprises dividing walls 63 and 18 which together with the tube sheet 51 forms the three enclosed chambers H, 12, and 73, respectively. The chamber 1| is communicated with the exterior through the flanged inlet connection 14, while the chamber 13 is communicated with the exterior through the flanged outlet connection 15. The top of the chamber i3 is also communicated with the exterior through the flanged connection 18 and the vent connection 11. The chamber 12 is communicated with the exterior through the drain connection H8. The cover plate head 82 comprises the dividing wall 19 which together with the tube sheet 69 forms the two enclosed chambers 88 and 3 The chamber 8| is communicated with the exterior through the upper valve connection 32, and the lower plug connection 83. From this construction it will be seen that the nest of tubes 65 communicates the chamber H with the chamber and the nest of tubes 66 communicates the chamber 80 with the chamber 12; and the nest of tubes 61 communicates the chamber 12 with the chamber 8|; and the nest of tubes 68 communicates the chamber 8| with the chamber 13. In Figs.

9 and 10 it may be noted that a portion of the nest of tubes 65 is separated-from the others by means of the baiiies' 84= and 85 forming an enclosure about the said portion. These baflles '84 and 85 thus form within'the distilling condenser chamber I8 an air cooler chamber 88. The distilling condenser chamber I8 is communicated with air cooler chamber 86 by means of a pluby machine screws (not shown). There is thus formed "between the peripheral wall of the cylindrical casing I2, the ribs 88, and the baflle 84 a shallow air space 89.

The air space 89 is communicated with the air cooler chamber 86 by means of a plurality of orifices 90 (indicated by dot-and-dash'lines in Fig. 10), and is communicated with the exterior of the cylindrical casing I2 through the oriflce SI.

' The cylindrical casing I2 is further provided with an orifice 92 in the bottom thereof which communicates the exterior thereof with a flanged perforated discharge pipe 93 on the interior of the casing I2. The evaporating chamber I9 is further communicated with the exterior through an orifice 94 in the lower portion of the operating end head I4. This orifice 94 is utilized as a cleanout opening and is normally closed by a removable cover plate 95 (see Figs. 8 and 9) mounted on the boss 96. The orifice 91 in this same bossv 96 will be further referred to hereinafter. Other orifices communicating the evaporating chamber I9 with the exterior are orifice 98 in the bottom of the cylindrical casing I2 (see Fig. 7), and oriflce 99 in the top of the cylindrical casing I2. These orifices 98 and 99 will be further referred to hereinafter.

Cast preferably integral with the cylindrical casing I2 at each end at the bottom thereof are foundation lugs I provided with bolt-holes IOI.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the assembly of the container shell II together with its various attachments are shown mounted as a unit upon a sub-base I02. The sub-base I02 is preferably comprised of steel plates welded together to form a rectangular box-like structure provided with top pads I03, to which are attached the foundation lugs I00 of the cylindrical casing I2, and bottom sub-base floor pads I04. The sub-base I02 also provides support for certain other elements of our apparatus as will be further described hereinafter.

Upon the exterior of the container shell I I and of the sub-base I02 and their attached parts hereinbefore described are mounted various elements of our evaporating and distilling unit I0 which We will now describe. In Fig. 3 may be noted the valve I05 (shown conventionally) which normally will be in communication with the ships sea, chest from which the sea water to be evaporated and distilled and to be used for condenser cooling purposes is drawn. The valve I05 is attached to the inlet head I06 of the condensate cooler I01. The condensate cooler I01 is of conventional design in which cooling water enters the inlet head I06 and passes through a nest of tubes within the cooler I01 to the discharge head I08. The condensate to be cooled enters thecooler I01 through the condensate inlet connection I09 and leaves by way of the discharge connection 0 as will further hereinafter be described. The discharge head I08 communicates with the flanged inlet connection 14 of the distilling condenser 55 through the flanged elbow III. L

Mounted on top of the container shell II by mea oi. brackets I I2 is the air ejector condenser II3 of conventional design having the cooling water inlet connection H4 in the head H5. The water inlet connection I I4 communicates through a return nest of tubes within the condendser II3 with the feed water discharge connection H8 in the head H5. Vapor from the air ejector enters the air ejector condenser II3 through the flanged connection H1 and after being cooled leaves the condenser II3 through the vent piping II8. A drain connection H8 is provided in the bottom of the condenser II3.

The air ejector I20 (see Fig. 3) is mountedto communicate with the interior of the distilling condenser chamber I8 through its air inlet flange I2I connected to cover the orifice 9I in the cylindrical casing I2 (see Fig. 10). Steam is supplied to the ejector at the connection I22 and together with ejected air from the distilling condenser chamber I8 passes through the air ejector I20 and attached flanged pipe I23 to the flanged connection II1 on the air ejector condenser.

The flanged outlet connection 15 of the distilling condenser 55 (see Fig. 3) is communicated with the inlet connection II4 of the air ejector condenser II3 through the flanged elbow I24, the

rotameter I 25,. and the flanged pipe I26. The flanged connection 16 of the distilling condenser 55 for excess circulating water is piped to an overboard discharge connection through the piping valve I21, the flanged pipe I28, the flanged pipe I29 with discharge end connecting flange I30. The pipe connection I28 is clamped to the cylindrical casing I2 by a conventional clamp means I3I (see Fig. 2) while the flanged pipe I29 passing under the cylindrical casing I2 and over the sub-base I02 is clamped to the latter adjacent to the connecting flange I30 by the conventional clamp. means I3I' (see Fig. 3). A flanged inlet connection I32 is provided in the pipe I29 (see Fig. 1) for a purpose hereinafter described. A pipe connection I33 is provided near the connecting flange I30 and will be further described hereinafter.

The feed water discharge connection I I6 in the air ejector condenser II3 (see Fig. 3) is communicated with the orifice 92 in the bottom of the cylindrical casingIZ (see Fig. 8) through the flanged pipe I34, the flanged pipe I35, the valve I36, and the flanged pipe I31. A conventional clamp I38 serves to support the flanged pipe I35 (see Fig. 5) on the cylindrical casing I2. valve I 36 is provided with an extension handwheel I39 to bring it to the operating end for convenience in manipulating. The flanged pipe I35 is provided with a pipe connection outlet I40 whereby communication is made with the pipe connection I33 on the pipe I29 through the valve I M, the pipe I42, the union I43, and the pipe I44.

On top of the cylindrical casing I2 in communication with the orifice 99' (see Fig. 8) is the relief valve I 45 which communicates through piping with the bilge of the ship. This piping (see Figs. 1 and 4) comprises the pipe nipple I46, the T I41, the nipple I48, the union I49, the pipe I50, the T I5I, and the pipe connection I52 to the bilge (indicated in dot-and-dash lines).

The pipe I50 is supported'on the cylindrical casing I2 by conventional clamp means I53. The vent piping I I8 of the air ejector condenser is The shown adapted to discharge into the relief valve piping T it? (see Figs. 1 and 2) through the piping comprising the receiving funnel I 54, the elbow IE5, the pipe 356, the elbow I51, the nipple 558, the elbow I59. the nipple I00, the union IBI. and the nipple I62. Dicharging into the relief valve piping T i5l is the emergency condensate discharge piping (see Figs. 2 and 4), comprising the receiving funnel @833, the street elbow I64, the nipple I65, the elbow I65, the pipe I 61, the elbow N8, the support clamp I59 supporting the pipe I10, the union HI, and the pipe nipple I12.

For withdrawing the condensate from the distilling condenser chamber I0 and impelling it to the condensate cooler I01 and beyond a condensate pump I13 is provided. For withdrawing the excess brine from the evaporating chamber I9 and impelling it to discharge overboard a brine discharge pump I14 is provided. These two pumps (see Fig. 2) are driven by a single motor I15 mounted in line with and between the pumps as a combined unit upon the side of the sub-base I02 by means of lugs E10. The condensate pump I13 is provided with the flanged inlet connection I11 and the flanged outlet connection I18. The brine discharge pump I14 is provided with the flanged inlet connection I19 and the flanged outlet connection i230.

The orifice 54 (see Fig. 10) in communication with distilling condenser chamber I8 is communicated with the condensate pump flanged inlet connection I11 through the flanged pipe I8I fitted with the glass gage assembly I82. The condensate pump outlet connection I18 is communicated with the condensate cooler inlet connection I09 through the piping (see Fig. 2) comprising the flanged pipe I 83, the stop-check valve I84, and the flanged pipe I855. The flanged pipe I85 is provided with a small pipe connection I86 which communicates with the gland of the condensate pump shaft through the piping assembly I81 for gland sealing purposes. The condensate passes from the condensate cooler by way of the discharge connection I in communication with the ondensate discharge control assembly I88, the operation of which will hereinafter be described. The condensate discharge control assembly I88 comprises the electrical salinity cell I89, the solenoid valve I90, distilled water tank connection IQI. and emergency condensate discharge I92.

The orifices 91 in the operating end head I4, and 98 in the bottom of the cylindrical casing I2, communicate with the flanged mlet connection I19 of the brine discharge pump I14 through the following piping elements: The weir level controller I93 is mounted on the operating end head I4 with its flanged inlet connection I94 commanding the orifice 91 therein and has its discharge connection flange I95 communicating directly with the flanged inlet I18 of the brine discharge pump I14 through the flanged pipe I96. The orifice 98 (see Fig. 7) communicates with a flange connection I91 in the pipe I96 through the valve I98 and the flanged pipe I99. The brine discharge pump flanged outlet connection I80 communicates with the flanged inlet connection I32 on the pipe I29 (see Fig. 1) through the valve 200, the swing check valve MI, and the semi-circular flanged pipe 202 (see Fig. 1). A brine sampling cock 203 is comprised in the pipe 202 (see Figs. 3 and 2). In Fig. 6 is shown the gland sealing piping assembly 204 for the brine discharge pump shaft gland. The piping 204 communicates the head I00 of the condensate cooler I01 with the pump shaft gland assuring a liquid seal thereof.

The weir level controller I93 is preferably of the design described in the copending patent application Serial No. 441,184, flied April 30, 3.342, by Eugene Porter Worthen.

For present purposes it is sumcient to set forth the essential elements, and leave the operation of the same to be further described hereinafter. The weir level controller 993 comprises the operating handwheel 205 which raises and lowers the stem 206 to which is attached the weir 220i slidable in bearing diaphragm 200. The diaphragm 208 divides the weir level controller I93 into the upper chamber 209 and the lower chamber Zid. The upper chamber 209 communicates through the flanged inlet connection 194 with the orifice 91 as hereinbefore described. The lower chamber 2 I0 communicates through the discharge connection flange I with the pipe 690 as hereinbefore described. A flanged pipe 2! t communicates the evaporating chamber I9 with the upper chamber 209. Chamber 3B in the exterior head 25 of the heater 24 is communicated with the upper part of the evaporating chamber it through pipe connection 2I2 (see Figs. 10 and 5), the nipple 2I3, the elbow 2I4, the pipe 2E5, the valve 2I6, and the pipe 2I1. The valve 2H5 is provided with a small orifice in its valve disc to act as a vent to allow uncondensed vapors in the chamber 35 of the heater 24 to escape to the evaporating chamber I9.

Shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the heater tube nest drain discharge elbow 38 is in communication through flanged pipe 2 IS with the drain trap 259. The drain trap 2I9 normally discharges to the ships main and auxiliary condenser piping through the discharge outlet connection 226: and valve 22I, and is further provided with the emergency discharge to bilge through pipe .222, valve 223, and nipple 224. The drain trap 2 i 9 is mounted upon the steam inlet end of the sub-base I02 by means of the support bracket 225.

A salinity indicator panel 226 is mounted upon the pump side of the container shell H by means of brackets 221, and will be further described hereinafter.

Sight glasses for internal observation are provided as follows: Sight glass 2223 on the steam inlet end head I2; sight glass 229 on the operating end head I4; and sight glass 23!) on the weir level controller I93.

Gage glass assemblies are provided as follows: gage glass assembly 23I for the evaporating chamber I9 mounted on the operating end head I4 (see Fig. 8); gage glass assembly M2 for the distilling condenser discharge pipe iBI (see Fig. 2); gage glass assembly 232 for the weir level controller I93 (see Fig. 3) and gage glass assembly 233 for the drain trap 2I9 (see Fig. 5).

Pressure gages are provided as follows: Pressure gage 234 for the evaporating chamber I0 mounted on the operating end head it (see Fig. 3); and pressure gage 235 for the heater tube nest chamber 35 mounted on the exterior head 25 of the heater 24 (see Fig. 4)

Thermometers are provided as ow e momete": 236 for the evaporating chamber I9 mounted on the operating end head i l (see Fig. 3); and thermometer 231 for the distilling condenser tube nest chamber. 13 mounted on the conduit head 56 (see Fig. 3).

A relief valve 238 is provided in the connection 82 for the chamber (H in the cover plate head 62 of the distilling condenser 55 (see Fig. i).

the various instrumentalities for causing the sequential andcooperating new of liquids and vapors in and through the said essential elements instrumentalities during the operation of evaporating and distilling pure water from sea water. The'operationis as follows:

Sea water pumped from the ship's sea chest 38. tubes I I, chamber dischargesasecon- -densate from. the; heaterv 24..to] and through the conduit elements outlet 38, pipe 2I8, drain-trap 2I8, outlet connection: 220 m valve 22I to the ship's main and auxiliary condenser-conduits. h

- An; emergency discharge is provided from the enters our apparatus at the valve I05 and passes to and through the condensate cooler I0l wherein due to heat exchange with the condensate therein the sea water absorbs heat and passes on through conduit III to the inlet ll of the distill.-

ing condenser 55." The sea. water flowing through the distilling condenser 55 within the distilling condenser chamberf I8 traverses sequentially the following circulatingconduit ele-- ments therein: chamber ll, tubes 85, chamber 80, tubes 55, chamber I2, tubes 51, chamber 8|, tubes 88, and chamber I3. From the chamber I3 a large percentage of the circulating sea. water having served its purpose of a heat exchange medium in its passage through the distilling condenser '55 is discharged to overboard through the outlet connection 16, and conduit'elements, valve I21, P pe pipe I28, and connecting flange I30; The remaining percentage of the circulating seawater in chamber I3 having been further heated in its passage through the distilling condenser drain trap 2I8'through the conduit elements pipe 222, valve 223, and nipple to the-ships bilge.

In the passage of the steam through the heater v :24 as Just described-enough heat therefrom has been exchanged to'the distilland within the evapcrating. chamber I8 to vaporize a portion thereof. As the vapor so generated rises from the surface of the distilland'itpasses to the top portion of the evaporating chamber I9 to and through the vapor separator commanding the orifice 43 leading to the distilling condenser chamber I8.

Passing through the separator 44 the entrained 'water in the vapor is extracted and retumed'to the mainbody of the distilland below. A portion of the entrained water drops fromthe face of the separator 44 to the distilland. below, while the balanceextracted by the separator 44 is returned to the distilland below beneath its surface by means of the discharge conduit5l. The dried vapor passes on to the distilling condenser chamber I8 and flows over and around the circulating conduit elements of the distilling condenserv thus heating the flowing sea water therein as hereinbefore described.- The condensate formed from the vapor during this heating of the sea water is'collected in the trough space 53 at the bottom of the distilling condenser chamber I8.

The dried vapor meanwhile flows outwardly over 55 isdischarged throughLtheoutlet connection l5, and conduit elements, elbow I24, rotameter I25, 'pipe I28, and into the inlet Ill of the air ejector condenser I I3. Therotameter I25 is a well known flow meter which accurately measures the rate of flow of the feed water and gives a continuous visual reading thereof. For the third time the circulating sea water in passing through the air ejector condenser II3 acts as a.v

and passes through the conduit elements-pipe I34, pipe I35, valve I35, pipe I31, orifice'32 and The circulating sea water leaving the outand around the circulating conduit elements of the condenser 55, to and through the orifices 81 in the baflle 85, over and around the enclosed tubes withinthe air cooler chamber 86-, to and through the orifices 00 in the'bafile 84 to the air space 80. The air space 89 is in communication with the air ejector I through the orifice 9| in the cylindrical casing I2 and conduit element I chamber I8 thus acting to draw off the remaining through the' perforated discharge pipe 93 within the bottom of the'evaporating chamber I8, and wherein the, said feed water now becomes the disv tiiland'thereof.

For emergency purposes a by-pass connection is provided in the pipe I35 whereby the feed water, or a percentage thereof,-may be diverted to overboard through the conduit elements, outletpipe I40, valve I, pipe I42, union lll pipe I 44,. pipe connection I 33, and intothe overboard discharge pipe I28. In addition .*this"connection maintainsa flow of water through the tubes of the air elector condenser during the starting up 'order to condense the air elector.

While. the feed water has been-flowing to beher I! steam tfrom the ship's auxiliaries has been flowing to theheater 20in the evaporating chamber IS.

The air ejector I20 is functioned by a'steam jet fed fromia connection I22 to the shipsauxiliary steam line which passing through the air ejector I20 in a well known manner tends to create a vacuum in the distilling condenser vapor therein and also to establish a pressure dif ferential with respect to the evaporating cham- The air ejector I20 discharges byway of conduit elements I23 and III into the air ejector condenser II3, where; in a manner well known to the art, the non condensing vapors are exhausted to the'atmosphere through the conduit outlet through the drain conduit I I9.

We return now to the condensate formed and collected, as hereinbefore described, in the trough space 53-at the bottom of the distilling condenser chamber I8. The condensate so formed is withdrawn from the space 53 by the condensate pump I13 through the conduit ele,-1 -ments orifice 5l,"pipe I81, and pump inlet 'I I'I,f

and is impelled by thecondensate'pump I18 to the condensate-cooler I01 through the'conduit elements pump outlet I18,-pipe' I83,"s topche'ck v v"'1'0 come the distilland within the evaporating'cham-' I valve In, pipe I85, and 'inlet connectionlliei The condensate passing through the condensate I cooler I01 acts to preheattheysea' vv'ai zerashere"-v inbefore described" and is discharged "therefrom ber Ilinto and-thmu'gh the conduit-elements thereof inlet '31, chamber 35', tubes 30, chamber 1 through the conduit' discharge e em nt u a to the condensate discharge control assembly I88 and thnce to the ships fresh water tanks or to the ships bilge as will now be described.

The condensate discharge control assembly I99 comprises an electrical salinity cell I99 and a solenoid operated trip valve I90. The purpose of the salinity cell is to give a continuous indication of the salinity of the flowing condensate on the salinity indicator panel 226 and to control the action of the solenoid trip valve I90. The solenoid trip valve I90 is connected to a relay in the salinity indicator panel 226 which in turn is energized by the salinity cell in such a way that whenever the salinity of the condensate exceeds apredetermined permissible amount the solenoid valve trips and diverts the condensate from the ships tanks (normally discharged thereto by way of conduit I9I) to the ships bilge (byway of conduit elements I92, I99 to I12, inclusive, and conduit I52). When the salinity has again fallen to the permissible amount the solenoid valve may be reset manually to again send the fresh water to the ships tanks. The salinity cell and the salinity indicator panel provide the operator of our apparatus with a visual indication of the amount of salinity of the product at all times, while the solenoid trip valve prevents bad water from being sent to the ships tanks even though the plant may be unattended.

For controlling the distilling water required for 30 the copendingpatent application Serial No.

4A1,184, flled April 30, 1942, by Eugene Porter Worthen. This comprises means to control the operating rate of flow of thedistilling liquid. to the evaporating chamber of our apparatus in constant substantial excess of that removed by evaporation therein, and a conduit system comprising an adjustable weir discharge means for receiving the excess liquid flow from the evaporating chamber whereby the liquid level therein may be maintained regardless of the operating rate of liquid flow thereto, and whereby the said liquid level may be selectively changed by the operator without affecting the said operating rate of liquid flow, and if desired the rate of fiow may be modified without affecting the height of level selected. The means to control the oper ating. rate of fiow in our apparatus is the valve I36 in the feed water conduit hereinabove described. This valve I 36 will be set manually to give approximately the right ratio of feed to fresh water for the brine density desired in its discharge from the apparatus. The adjustable weir discharge means I93 is adapted to maintain the level of the distilland within the evaporating chamber I9 constant at the level selected by the operator and while so doing to continuously receive the excess'distilland from the evaporating chamber l9 by way of the conduit I94 and to discharge it overboard. As the upper chamber 209 is in communication with the evaporating chamber I9 by way of the vent conduit 2 the two chambers are in vapor balance one with another and water flowing into the chamber 209 will rise until it overflows and discharges through the top of the adjustable weir 201. The height of the distilland in the evaporating chamber I9 is'therefore dependent upon the up-and-down setting of the adjustable weir 201 as controlled by the handwheel 205 upon the screw stem 209. .The distilland overflowing the top of the weir 201 discharges to the lower chamber 2" and is 5 clusive. A pumping-out conduit I99 communicates the bottom of the evaporating chamber I9 with the conduit I96 and is controlled by the valve I99.

In Figure 1 we have shown in dotted lines how 10 the heater unit 24 may be entirely removed from the container shell II when desired for the purpose of inspection or cleaning.

It will now be apparent that we have devised a novel apparatus for evaporating and distilling especially applicable to marine purposes but it will be manifest that it is useful and valuable for application in other fields. The invention herein disclosed is in the nature'of our improvement of the apparatus for evaporating and dis- 0 tilling shown and described in the Letters Patent of the United States No. Re. 21,129 granted to Benjamin Fox et al., June 27, 1939, and in the copending patent application Serial No. 441,184, filed April 30, 1942, by Eugene Porter Worthen.

Although we have described and illustrated our invention in considerable detail, we do not wish to be limited to the exact and specific details thereof as shown and described, but may use such modifications in, substitution for or equivalent thereof, as are embraced within the scope of our invention or as pointed out in the claims. Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment,

40 said second compartment comprising substantially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container. one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of said container,

heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment being connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, conduit means for conducting liquid to be distilled successively in heat exchanging relationship with vapor in said second compartment and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said 0 ing liquid, conduit means for conducting excess distilland from said first compartment to waste, means for collecting for use condensate formed in said second compartment, and vapor exhausting means communicating with said second com- 5 partment.

2. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment,

said second compartment comprising substantially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment being connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, conduit means for conducting cooling liquid in excess of distilland requirements in heat exchanging relationship with vapor in said second compartment, conduit means for discharging said excess liquid from said distilling apparatus, conduit means for conducting said distilland requirement liquid into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in said second compartment by heat exchange with theconducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means for conducting excess distilland from said first compartment to waste, means for collecting for use condensate formed in said second compartment, and vapor exhausting means communicating with said second compartment.

3. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a container, wall means within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment bein connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting liquid to be distilled successively in heat exchanging relationship with heated fluids in said condensate cooler means, said second compartment, and said air ejector condenser and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to fresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector for exhausting vapor from said second compartment to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit of said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excessdistilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pumps,

4. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, said second compartment comprising substan tially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially ver tical and within the upper half of said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting liquid to be distilled successively in heat exchanging relationship with heated fluids in said condensate cooler means, saidsecond compartment,

' and said air ejector condenser and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heatmg fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to freshwater discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector for exhausting vapor from said second compartment to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit of said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pumps.

5. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a container, wall means within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment being connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means. conduit means for conducting cooling liquid in excess of distilland requirements in heat exchanging relationship with fluids in said condensate cooler and said second compartment, conduit means for discharging said excess liquid from said distilling apparatus, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting said distilland requirement liquid in heat exchanging relationship with fluid in said air ejector condenser and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to fresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector for exhausting vapor from said second compartment to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit of said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pumps.

6. In apparatus for distilling a liquid. a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a hori zontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed Within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, said second compartment comprising substan tially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment being connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means, conduit means for conducting cooling liquid in excess of distilland requirements in heat exchanging relationship with fluids in said condensate cooler and said second compartment, conduit means for discharging said exces liquid from said distilling apparatus, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting said distilland requirement liquid in heat exchanging relationship with fluid in said air ejector condenser and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to fresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector for exhausting vapor from said second compartment to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit of said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pumps.

7. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, said second compartment comprising substantially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet, a. vapor separator unit mounted over said vapor inlet whereby said second compartment is connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, conduit means for conducting liquid to be distilled successively in heat exchanging relationship with vapor in said second compartment and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in said second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means for conducting excess distilland from said first compartment to waste, means for collecting for use condensate formed in said second compartment, and vapor exhausting means communicating with said vapor outlet of said second compartment.

8. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a, horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, said second compartment comprising substantially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in sail first compartment, said second compartment comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet, a vapor separator unit mounted over said vapor inlet whereby said second compartment is connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, conduit means for conducting cooling liquid in excess of distilland requirements in heat exchanging relationship with vapor in said second compartment, conduit means for discharging said excess liquid from said distilling apparatus, conduit means for conducting said distilland requirement liquid into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in said second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means for conducting excess distilland from said first compartment to waste, means for collecting for use condensate formed in said second compartment, and vapor exhausting means communicating with said vapor outlet of said second compartment.

9. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a container, wall means within said container dividing the same into a. first compartment and a second compartment, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet, a vapor separator unit mounted over said vapor inlet whereby said second compartment is connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting liquid to be distilled successively in heat exchanging relationship with heated fluids in said condensate cooler means, said second compartment, and said air ejector condenser and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to fresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector communicating with said vapor outlet in said second compartment for exhausting vapor therein to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit of said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pump.

10. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally disposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartaava'sso ment, said second compartment comprising substantially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of'said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet; a vapor separator unit mounted over said vapor inlet whereby said second compartment is connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, all ejector condenser means, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting liquid to be distilled successively in heat exchanging relationship with heated fluids in said condensate cooler means, said second compartment, and said air ejector condenser and then into said first compartment,, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed insaid second compartment through said condensate cooler means to fresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an'air ejector communicating with} said vapor outlet in said second compartment for exhausting vapor therein to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit or said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and asecond pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means ior operating said densed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means oi! the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to fresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector communicatin with said vapor outlet in said second compartment for exhausting vapor therein to said air ejector condenser, means for supplying an operating fluid into the conduit of said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pumps.

12. In apparatus for distilling a liquid, a unitary structure comprising a supporting base, a horizontal cylindrical container comprising substantially radial wall means longitudinally dis- Ian container. wall means within said container di- I saidseoondt comprisingavaporinlet and a vapor outlet, a vapor separator unit mounted over said vapor inlet whereby said second compartment is connected to receive vapor from said first compartment. condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means, conduit means .ior conducting cooling liquid in excess of distilland requirement in heat exchanging relationship with fluids in said condensate cooler and said second compartment, conduit means for discharging said excess liquid from said distilling, apparatus, conduit means comprising a control valve for conducting said distilland requirement liquid in heat exchanging relationship with fluid in said air ejector condensen-and then into said first compartment, means for supplying a heating fluid into the conduit 01 said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some oi the vapor evolved is conposed within said container dividing the same into a first compartment and a second compartment, said second compartment comprising substantially a quarter sector defined by said radial walls and the included peripheral arc of said container, one of said radial walls being substantially vertical and within the upper half of said container, heater means in said first compartment comprising a conduit for conducting fluids in heat exchanging relationship with liquid to be evaporated in said first compartment, said second compartment comprising a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet, a vapor separator unit mounted over said vapor inlet whereby said second compartment is connected to receive vapor from said first compartment, condensate cooler means, air ejector condenser means, conduit means for conducting cooling liquid in eiEcess of distilland requirements in heat excahnging relationship with fluids in said condensate cooler and said second compartment, conduit means for discharging said excess liquid from said distilling apparatus, conduit means comprising a 'control valve for conducting said distilland requirement liquid in heat exchanging relationship with fluid in said air ejector condenser and then into said first compart e t, m a o p lyin a heating fluid into the conduit of said heater means in said first compartment whereby the liquid therein is evaporated and some of the vapor evolved is condensed in the second compartment by heat exchange with the conducting means of the incoming liquid, conduit means comprising a first pump for conducting the condensate formed in said second compartment through said condensate cooler means to iresh water discharge, conduit means comprising an air ejector communicating with said vapor outlet in said second compartment for exhausting vapor therein to said air ejector con-. denser, means for supp fl an operating fluid into the conduit 0! said air ejector, conduit means comprising an adjustable weir and a second pump for conducting excess distilland to waste, and a motor means for operating said first and second pumps.

EUGENE PORTER WORTH. BENJAMIN FOX. 

